Student protest hits normal life in Shillong

Hundreds of student activists today took out a protest march in Shillong alleging anomalies in the appointment of teachers in government-aided colleges in the city.

Traffic was thrown out of gear in several places, while there were reports of stone throwing and damaging of shops by the agitators.

The protests, belonging to three organisations including the influential Khasi Students' Union, started marching from Motphran, but were prevented by security personnel from going to the secretariat where prohibitory orders were imposed.

The protesters alleged that two lecturers were appointed in government-aided colleges in the city in contravention of State Reservation Policy, a charge strongly denied by State Education Minister Manas Choudhuri.

"The selection process was conducted by the college selection committee and the government only approved it," Choudhuri had said, even as he preferred a dialogue on the matter.